Rapids Win Big Over Galaxy 4-0 in Season Opener

COMMERCE CITY CO (Saturday March 29 2008) – The Colorado Rapids opened the season in style beating the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-0 in front of a Dick’s Sporting Goods Park record crowd of 18713. The previous high crowd at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park was 18661 for the 2007 MLS All-Star Game.

Terry Cooke put the Rapids in front in the 10th minute marking the second year in a row that the Rapids have scored the opening goal of the season at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The Englishman ripped a fantastic shot past Steve Cronin after Christian Gomez hit the post with his shot from 20 yards out.

Christian Gomez nearly put the Rapids up 2-0 when he fired a 25-yard blast that Cronin barely reached to tip over the bar.

Bouna Coundoul was forced into action in stoppage time of the first half when Landon Donovan dribbled into the Rapids penalty area on a counterattack. The Senegalese International slid out and blocked the ball out for a corner kick.

In the 60th minute Gomez opened his Colorado Rapids scoring account as he nicely tucked away a penalty kick.

Omar Cummings scored the third goal of his career to put the Rapids up 3-0 in the 67th minute. Cooke played a perfect ball as the Jamaican held up his run to stay onside. The speedster than took a touch around Cronin and deftly put the ball in the back of the net.

Colin Clark became the fourth player to score for the Rapids tonight when he took a pass from Cooke dribbled around Abel Xavier and outpaced another defender before finishing near post for his first MLS goal scored with his left foot.

The four goals by Cooke Gomez Cummings and Clark marked the first time the Rapids have scored four goals in one game since they beat the Chicago Fire 4-1 on July 23 2005. The four goal margin of victory also tied the club record as the largest in history.

Herculez Gomez attempted to put a fifth goal past Cronin in the 84th minute but his shot was saved off the line by a sliding Xavier.

The Rapids hit the road for the first time this year as they travel to Kansas City to take on the Wizards next Saturday April 5. The game will kick off at 6 p.m. MT.